Jamiedodger's Sparkly New 2011 Diary

JAMIEDODGER

Morning all. 1st post of the year so,

Happy new year everyone!

Lots of good things to look forward to this year. Two holidays, both free:D Finally paying off the last of the debt. Continuing to do my house up, which has so far taken 6 1/2 years. Hoping to complete in 2012, but most of the prep work has been done and it is mostly furniture and accessories now.

Banking done this morning and weekly 'wage' transferred over to other account. Waiting in today for a couple of deliveries and then some DIY to do this afternoon if I get time.

A bit of housework to do although not much, two washes done already this morning, one on airer, one waiting to go in the TD as it is a towel wash. Two kids off sick today, hopefully they will be back tomorrow!

Planning on redecorating the dining room next week. Paint to buy for that, but shouldn't be too expensive!

Hope everyone had a lovely New Years Eve and is looking forward to what this year brings!

hypno06

What time do you call this? It's the middle of January already :rotfl:

Happy New Year to you too, may it bring you everything you wish for

JAMIEDODGER

Cheers Hypno:D

I have been so mental here I just havent had time to get on the computer much!

I coved the dining room yesterday, It was actually really easy. I have pinned under the cove for support and am planning to repaint the whole room in the next week or so.

Off to Ikea this morning, always a favourite thing to do. I just need accessories, no furniture this time, so won't be a big spend.

I am gradually getting through the house, upstairs is pretty much finished now, just a couple of smallish jobs left to do, and not expensive either, it is just getting round to them, (shelves, hooks mainly) I will be trying to finish these by the end of January.

Ds3 is away with his carer this weekend, so I am going to have a relaxing one and take it easy, as I really ache today from doing the coving yesterday.

Hope everyone has a great day!

JAMIEDODGER

Morning all. Not feeling very well this morning, so will be trying to take it fairly easy today.

Food shopping to do today at some point, will be trying to keep it low. Have £40 in purse and I need to buy enough food to last us until Friday, which should be doable as long as I am careful. Washing on already and will be going on airer as soon as it is finished, trying not to use the tumble unless I have to. DS1 back to college today after being off most of last week with a viral infection. Glad he is better, it was a nasty one that had him in bed for days!

DS3 had a fab time with his carer, he went to Monkey World and has talked about nothing else since he got home:)

Trying to be really careful with money at the moment as along with trying to pay back debt, I am trying to save up for the flooring for the dining room, which I will be laying myself to save money.

It is pouring with rain this morning so wellingtons are needed for the school run. Its very mucky out there!

Hope everyone has a good day x

hypno06

Hope you are feeling better very soon, Jammie x

Take care!

JAMIEDODGER

Its been months since I last posted and true to form, when I take my eye off the ball, I get myself into a bit of trouble again.

Anyway, I have sat down with it all over the last few days and have input all my finances into spreadsheets and I will be starting over (yet) again!

I have a holiday due in July which is all inclusive and was a gift from my parents. I have had to buy some suitcases, although I still need a couple more, I have half my spending money in Euro's and all our sun creams.

I still have the remainder of the currency to get, our insurance and also the suitcases. I am planning on buying these within the next four weeks. There are six weeks until we go. The children all have their summer clothes, I am the only one that needs clothes and desperately!

I have worked out a new payment plan for the debt. I want to get my current account back in the black, although this may take up until our holiday to do this.

I am planning on spending this morning browsing the site and going through my finances with a fine tooth comb to check if there are any ways to reduce my outgoings. I know the drill as I have done this so many times before.

I certainly need to reign in my spending again. Did our food shopping yesterday and it came to £89! This needs to come down a lot.

Off now to get the kids ready for school, but after the school run I will be getting right on it!

hypno06

If anyone can do it, jamie, you can - you are queen of all things budgetty

JAMIEDODGER

Cheers hun, I am quite determined this time! I think when I don't come on here, I lose track and start spending at will! I know I can do it, I just need to stay focused!

hypno06

It is one reason I stick around = ok so I don't post as much as I used to, but it does help me keep my mind on a reasonably sound financial footing!

JAMIEDODGER

I have been busy making a proper start this morning:)

Firstly I have decided to stay in today (except school run) that way I can aim for a NSD. I have made my lunch, instead of being lazy and buying it out.

I have got a wash on the line instead of TD and it is a great washing day as it is breezy and sunny here.

For pudding tonight I have made the kids up an angel delight which was lurking in the cupboard, dinner will be a freezer use up.

I have browsed a bit on the site and checked out the currency tool, so that I can make sure when I buy the currency for our holiday, I am getting the best price. I will be checking around for insurance later!

Feel like I am getting a handle on it a bit better now.

I am taking my nan out shopping tomorrow as she doesn't drive. I won't be buying anything but I will be taking her for a coffee somewhere and will have to pay for that and also parking, tomorrow night is Beavers so I will be paying £8 for subs. I have around £15 in my purse so that should cover that lot no problems.

Friday, I will be going to town to take back some tshirts I bought last week, they didnt fit properly, so instead of just buying something else, I will be taking the cash refund and waiting a bit longer to buy clothes for the holiday. I will need to pay for the parking but that will come out of the refund money, I should end the day in credit.

Saturday will be a NSD, but Sunday won't as I think I will be taking DD to the cinema, this will cost £5 for the tickets and we will smuggle in sweets but I will buy a drink in there.

Next week, being half term I have planned to take the kids to Butlins, a friend of my sisters works there so it will only cost me £3 per person to get in. I will try and take a picnic and hope the weather stays nice. I will be setting aside around £20 for the day on top of the entrance fee. This is the only costly treat I am planning. The kids have plenty of other things to do and also we will go to the park a few times.

Next weeks food shopping I am determined to reduce! Any money saved from my housekkeeping £120 per week to cover food and petrol will go towards the butlins trip so I am going to make sure I come under budget!

I am going out with a friend next friday and will have to pay for a sitter and for drinks. I am hoping to sell a few items on eBay to cover some of this cost.

JAMIEDODGER

Well, my first day back has gone well! I haven't spent any money:) so very pleased! I am craving a bar of chocolate right now but am determined not to pop down the shop!!

Tomorrow will be another test but I guess every day will be! I might make up my lunch in the morning so that it is waiting for me when I get back from shopping with my nan:)

I am starting to write next weeks mealplan and shopping list, hoping that I can get that bill down next week!